(Reggio d‘Emilia 1838–1920)
The Mask, signed Chierici Gaetano, oil on canvas, 74 x 100 cm, framed

Provenance:
Private Collection, Italy.

A certificate issued by Dr. Andrea Baboni, 11 June 2024, available upon request.

We are grateful to Dr. Andrea Baboni for kindly confirming the authenticity on the basis of the original.

The present lot is one of many versions of the same theme created by Gaetano Chierici. The first version was exhibited at the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan in 1869. Chierici produced several variations based on buyers' requests, adjusting details and sizes. The Mask is typical of his work: set in a farmhouse, the scene depicts a young boy wearing a mask who playfully surprises his mother in the kitchen. Chierici, having experienced an impoverished childhood, would have been familiar with such a setting.

This painting not only showcases exquisite detail in the depiction of objects in the room but also beautifully captures the interaction between the characters. This particular work highlights Chierici’s skill in portraying fleeting expressions, such as the child’s happiness and surprise, which earned him the title of "painter of childhood happiness." He often depicted humble children as joyful, delighting in the simple pleasures of life.